As we all know, the Orioles had a wildly successful 2012, and there has been a continuous discussion as to if – or when – manager Buck Showalter would be signed to a contract extension.

Fans have been wondering if he would be in the organization long term, and now we may have an answer.

According to MASN's Roch Kubatko and CBS Sports' Paul Heyman, the Orioles and Showalter have laid the framework in place for an extension.

The duration will be three years, based on reports.

In my honest opinion, it was a foregone conclusion that the two sides were going to get something done.

If you're reading this blog, you know the impact that Showalter has had on the franchise. He's changed the culture with the Orioles from top to bottom and it's been pretty much observed by fans, the media and insiders in the sport.

Many people argue that a manager makes little discernible difference with a team. That is not the case with Showalter, as he has been able to excel at field management, the bullpen, getting the most out of his players, player evaluation and the facilities down in Sarasota.

To even be more blunt, he took a perennial loser and made them into a winner; furthermore, Showalter got the Orioles back into the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. As well, he played a small, but perhaps, very important part in reviving baseball back in Baltimore and with Oriole fans across the nation.

Just stating the obvious.

I believe the Orioles still make some more to do with their roster, however, with the news of Showalter's impending contract extension, we as fans should be happy.